5 Sept 1970

 The Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation

Johore Bahru

West Malaysia

Dear Mum and Dad,

We finally got away on holiday, although it was touch and go with the car playing up at the last moment.  The girls loved the swimming and sun.  You may know the thing to do on the east coast is to go out to a beach at night in season and watch the turtles come up to lay their eggs.  We were lucky and saw two - not the biggest and they did not lay, but it was still quite remarkable.  Was busy catching up on returning to the office and a machine breakdown di not help.  Malaysia National Day was a big event this year and we won 2nd prize for our decorations - should have been 1st - however, the only bank out of seven to do so.  Went to collect on Tuesday and sat through a very long speech in Malay.  Wednesday out to an official tea party - these things need a lot of stamina and are boring I am sure even for the locals.  Usual costumes band, anthem, Muslim prayers and hot sun.  The curry puffs were better than usual though.  We can now have the children out twice a year!  So they will come out at Christmas.  They will be returning from her4e QANTAS to arrive about 10.30 am 15 Sept and hope to have Dad's present with them.  HOpe the telegram arrived OK.  We get our cards in Singapore but had not been able to get in with the holiday.  The girls have been out and about - lots of friends for them.  Riding at the Raja Mud's polo ground.  Caroline out today at a Youth Festival with a Canadian friend.  Into Singapore swimming.  Eating mangoes ripe from our tree.  My club had Queensland Mines bought at A$12 sold at A$27 about the best we have done this year: have gone back into Endeavour for third time using profits only.  Fingers crossed.  Think aother devaluation is coming 1 or 2 years - what to do?

Love from us all Peter.